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Car insurance policies may not cover flood damage in a potential disaster to Storm Ciaran and Storm Babet victims.
Compare the Market has warned that not every motorist will have cover and may need to stump up repair costs themselves.
Storm Ciaran is set to hit the south coast of England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday with meteorologists predicting 60mm of rain.
Julie Daniels motor insurance expert at Compare the Market made it clear that those on third-party insurance policies would not have much leg to stand on.
She said: “Heavy rainfall from Storm Ciarán means flooding could be a worry for parts of the UK this week.
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“Drivers should be aware that flooding can cause serious damage to cars and that not all types of car insurance will cover it.
“You may be able to claim for flood damage if you have comprehensive car insurance, but you should check the terms and conditions of your policy.
“It’s unlikely that your car will be covered for flood damage on a third-party fire and theft policy. You may only be covered if you’ve done what’s necessary to keep your car safe.”
Go Compare has also warned those with third-party cover “won’t be able to make a claim or get a payout”.
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Storm damage is considered an ‘Act of God’ meaning motorists with comprehensive cover will be offered money.
However, this is likely to impact a driver’s no-claims bonus so those impacted need to really consider if they want to make a claim.
Swinton Insurance said those impacted by storms should contact their provider as soon as possible so they can start processing the claim.
They added: “After your initial call to make a storm damage claim, it’s likely that your insurer will check if there was a storm in the area you live.
“After this, your insurer should be able to give you a timeline of when they’re likely to be able to settle the claim and can advise you on contacting its approved repairers if needed.”
Meanwhile, the type of cover provided may still vary depending on a range of factors about the damage picked up.
Julie added: “Typically, insurance providers put flood damage into two categories. Unavoidable flood damage is if your car is flooded where it’s usually parked, such as at home. Avoidable flood damage is if you take risks, like driving into a flooded area despite warning alerts.
“If your car is submerged, don’t try to start the engine, even if the water has subsided as it might cause further damage. Your insurer may also have its own ‘preferred repairers’ so avoid drying out or repairing the car yourself.
“If you’re concerned about the risk of flooding and whether your car is covered, contact your car insurance provider for more information.”
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